AmeriCorps Member Spotlight: Creonna

Name: Creonna Team: Baltimore County East, Maryland

Why Serve?
“The thing that attracted me to Choice was Choice was an alternative to incarceration program that gives youth who made a mistake a second chance. We’re human… we all make mistakes. The thing I love about Choice is the ability to help mold and change how youth in the program view the world… view society as they see it.”

What were you doing before the fellowship?
“Before Choice, I was finishing up my undergrad degree at Morgan State University. In the library for what seemed forever trying to finish my Senior Research Project. Which by the way, I aced!”

What do you enjoy most about working at The Choice Program?
“The thing I enjoy the most working at The Choice Program is the ability to connect with youth. The youth are our future and it’s amazing to see the growth of the youth in the program from day 1 to the time they term. Being able to see these youth accomplish things they set out to do and knowing you had a hand in helping them make that stride to want to do better for not only their families, but for themselves is an amazing feeling…you almost feel like a proud mother when you see the youth happy about their accomplishments.”

How has Choice influenced your career path?
“I would definitely say Choice has influenced my career path, I just knew when I came to Choice I had my mind set that I was taking a year off grad school to give back to the community I live in and then going back to school for Health. Once working for Choice and interacting with youth, it has completely changed my mind set and I want to pursue a career in either Social Work or Criminal Justice and focus on Juvenile Justice.”

What’s queued on your Netflix account right now:
“Orange is the New Black”